Ella Grace is 2!!!

How in the world did two years go by so quickly?? I feel so very old! Ella, I cannot believe you are 2. You are an absolute joy in our lives. We wake up talking about you and go to bed looking at you. You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me . I cannot believe God loves me so much to bless me with you. We pray for you everyday and pray that you grow up loving and knowing the Lord and all of the great things He has done. To celebrate your birthday, we had a BIG ol’ party!! On Sunday, 18th, we celebrated FARM style. We rented a pavilion and had a special tour of Old MacDonald’s Farm at Bever Park with all of your friends. This mommy was CRAZY and did way too much being 9 months pregnant. We invited about 60 people and had lots of “farm food” and lots of fun with your friends. You loved seeing all of the animals and playing in your bouncy house. The best part of the day was when we brought you to the decorated pavilion and you realized that the party was for you. You put your hand over your mouth and “gasped”, it was the cutest thing. You were less interested in the presents than I thought you would be, but definitely VERY interested in the singing and blowing out the candles, you even did it all by yourself. You are talking up a storm, telling us all what to do. You pretty much can communicate everything with the exception of a few things. There are a few words you say that I have NO idea what you are saying, but most of the time, you tell us loud and clear what you want! We got your hair cut for your 2nd birthday and you look so old it makes me sad. Mommy has been very emotional the last few days as I know my time with “just you” is dwindling. I’m also a little bit worried about rocking your world by adding a brother, BUT, I find solace in the fact that you are certainly not the only kid that’s had to go through it, and, I don’t know what I would do without my brothers and sisters. They are some of the greatest gifts my mommy and daddy gave me. I know you might not feel that way right away, but, hopefully, one day you will. On your actually birthday, we had an ultrasound of Baby Briggs who is measuring quite large. Baby Briggs, you had better not be 9lbs, I don’t know what I’d do!! You kept asking about the baby and I think at one point (based on the look on your face) you realized that the picture of the baby on the screen was the baby inside my tummy. You talk to “Briggs” all of the time and kiss him and rub him. We had a newborn over at our house the other day and you were OBSESSED, when the baby sneezed you asked, “Baby, you otay?” And when I gave you a tootsie roll, you tried to share it with the baby. SO cute! Since you can’t complete your own “2 year old” interview yet (next year you will be able to!), Daddy and I completed it to the best of our abilities about you!!  Here goes…. Happy 2 years Baby Doll. We love you more than you will EVER know. Thank you for the BEST two years of our lives!

Our favorite word that you say-
Mom: You’re Welcome
Dad: They are all my favorite, but “Uh Oh” “Oh Man” “Gottcha”
Your favorite toy-
Letters from the bath tub, play food, stickers, magnadoodle, babies
Your favorite food-
Buttered noodles and pizza
Our Favorite things about you-
Dad- when you hug us, want a “group hug”, say “ I Love You” and give kisses
Mom- how loving and caring you are, asking “are you otay?”, patting our backs, saying “I love you” or “Sorry Mommy (or Daddy)” , how you treat your babies
Things to work on in the next year 
Your patience. Currently you have NONE  you still hate riding in the car or waiting through a commercial break
What’s changed since 1 year ago?
Your language and communication. The way you can talk to us, you now throw fits/tantrums , you are so much taller, you have all your teeth (sniff sniff), and your hair is SO blonde!

Whew.

Wow oh wow. A LOT has happened in the last couple of weeks. For starters, Ella had her FIRST boat ride this weekend. She loved it. Yelled “Here fishy fishy fishy” over the side of the boat. It was a great time until about 30 minutes into it when you realized you could “jump ship.” And… you almost did. Daddy and I had to watch you like a hawk. Finally, mommy (9 months preggo and all) got into the lake and you jumped in with NO hesitation and swam until your heart was content. You LOVED every minute of it, laughing and rolling on your back and on your belly, it was so much fun to watch you in the lake. Since the last time we updated, you can also READ. No, I’m not kidding. You read these site words and it is the most amazing thing in the whole world to watch. Words like play, is, it, of, that, and…. you get them all right and you are so proud of yourself (and we are VERY VERY proud of you as well!). The first time you did the flashcards, you did them all right the first go around and then you looked at me and you said, “Otay mommy, sucker.” Because you knew you did something sooo good you should get a sucker! HA! That’s my smart kid!  Let’s see, what else has happened. This weekend was really busy. Daddy and Auntie Re threw mommy a very special surprise birthday party for my 30th birthday. You did NOT know what to, your friends were running around, my friends were running around and grammy, papa, boppa and grandma were all there along with EA (Olivia) and Re and Rad and Uncle Tin Tin. You were loving life. You were sooo tired though and at the end of the party we were laughing hysterically at you because you were SO excited about the moon. You kept saying, Mommy, Papa, right there, the moon, right there. It was so funny. You talked about it the whole way home until you passed out from exhaustion, and, in the middle of the night, you woke up STILL talking about it. You’re so stinkin cute. Saturday you and I hung all day while Daddy had to work  and then, we went to some friends’ house to have a bonfire. I made you share cookies with another little girl who is your age (2 weeks younger). She was not saying thank you, at least not good enough for you. So after about the 5th cookie you gave her, you said VERY loudly for everyone to hear… “You’re Welcome.” It was hilarious. We were laughing until we cried. Daddy and I wanted to crawl under a rock, but you were so adamant for her to tell you thank you. I’m glad we’ve taught you well my dear  Sunday morning is when we went on the boat and Sunday night we had another birthday party for Dex. It was an Elmo party. Let’s just say that you, ahem, loved to open the gifts and blow out the candles, even though they weren’t yours. You’re crazy kid. You are also totally into singing, the ABC’s, Wheels on the Bus, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, This Little Light of Mine and Happy Birthday To You. I cannot believe this week I’m going to be 30 and you’re going to be 2. I’m so thankful I have a birthday buddy to share my birthday with. I love you with ALL of my heart. I’m a little wistful about the fact that your life is about to change upside down with the impending birth of Briggs. BUT, I know you’ll do great and eventually you’ll forgive me  You certainly aren’t the only kid that’s had to go through it. Just know that Mommy & Daddy cherish your every hug, kiss, laugh, naughty moments, everything we do, is for you sweetheart. We love you.